Breeds of Dairy Cattle

BREEDS OF DAIRY CATTLE
Animal Science 1 Dairy Unit
Ayrshire
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Originated in the country of Ayr
Developed during the last part of the 18th century
First imported to the US in 1822
Greatest numbers are found in Northeastern US
Breed association is the Ayrshire Breeders’
Association
Ayrshire
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May be any shade of cherry red, other colors are mahogany,
brown, or white
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White may be mixed with any other color but each color should be
clearly defined.
Preferred color is a distinctive red and white
Objectionable colors are black and brindle
Straight lines
Well balanced udders that are attached high behind and extend
forward.
Teats are medium in size
Vigorous and strong, have excellent grazing ability
Mature cows 1,200 pounds, Mature bulls about 1,800 pounds
Milk Production
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Rank 3rd in average milk produced per cow at
11,700 pounds
Average 4% milk fat
Rank 4th in average milk fat produced per cow
Brown Swiss
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Originated in Switzerland
One of the oldest dairy breeds
First imported into the US in 1869
Only 25 bulls and 130 cows were imported into the
US
 The
approximately 820,000 registered Brown Swiss in
the US are descendants of those importations
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Breed association is the Brown Swiss Cattle
Breeder’s Association of the USA, organized in
1880
Brown Swiss
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Solid brown, ranging from light to dark
White and off-color spots are objectionable
Nose and tongue are black
Large framed
 Mature
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cows 1500 lbs, Mature bulls 2,000 lbs
Quiet, docile temperament
Longest lived
High heat tolerance
Milk Production
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Rank second among dairy breeds in average milk
production per cow at 12,100 pounds
Average 4.1% milk fat
Rank 3rd among the dairy breeds in average milk
fat produced per cow
Guernsey
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Originated on the Isle of Guernsey
Developed by Monks through crossbreeding
First imported into the US in 1831
Breed association is the American Guernsey
Association
 Organized
in 1877
 Rank 2nd in total number of dairy cattle registered in
the US
Guernsey
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May be any shade of fawn with white markings
Black and brindle are objectionable
Clear or buff muzzle is preferred over smoky or black
Skin is yellow
Early maturing
Adaptable
Gentle
Mature weight
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Cows 1100 lbs, Bulls 1800 lbs
Milk Production
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Rank 4th in average milk production per cow at
10,600 lbs
Average 5% milk fat
Rank 2nd in average milk fat produced per cow
Produce milk that is golden in color
Holstein-Friesian
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Originated in the Netherlands
Called the Holstein in the US and Canada and the
Friesian elsewhere in the world
First imported into the US by the Dutch settlers in 1621
and 1664
There have been no imports since 1905
Breed Association-Holstein-Friesian Association of
America
90% of all Dairy Cattle in the US
About 1,500,000 registered Holstein cattle in the US
Holstein-Friesian
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Black and white
Solid animals are not acceptable or registered
 Recessive gene occasionally causes red and white animals to
appear
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Largest
Mature cows-1500 lbs, Mature bulls 2200 lbs
Large udders
Cows are quiet but bulls can be mean and dangerous
Adaptable
Milk Production
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1st among dairy breeds in average milk production
per cow at 14,500 lbs
Average about 3.5% milk fat
5th among dairy breeds in average milk fat
production per cow
Jersey
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Originated on the Isle of Jersey
Imported into the US in about 1815 with major
importations occurring between 1870-1890
Breed association is the American Jersey Cattle
Association
Jersey
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Cream to a light fawn to almost black in color
Some may have white markings
Switch and tongue may be black or white
Smallest
Mature cows weigh about 1,000 pounds, mature bulls
weight about 1600 pounds
Excellent udders that are well attached
Adaptable and efficient users of feed
Somewhat nervous and bulls can be mean and very
aggressive
Early maturing
Milk Production
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Rank 5th among dairy breeds in average milk
production per cow at 10,000 pounds
Average about 5.4% milk fat
Rank 1st among dairy breeds in average milk fat
produced per cow